Authors: Subodh Kumar, Jayeeta Biswas & Tara Singh
Abstract
The present study examines depression, anxiety, stress, and anger among pet owners. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted and data from adults (N=185) was collected using two widely used tools, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), and Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992). The ANOVA test showed that there was no significant difference in depression (F=2.43, p>0.05), anxiety (F=2.08, p>0.05), stress (F=1.50, p>0.05), and anger (F=0.21, p>0.05) of the participants based on pet ownership. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed that there was no significant difference in depression, anxiety, stress and anger of the participants based on the number of members in the family and the number of senior citizens in the family.
Keywords: Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Pet, Mental Health
Introduction
Mental health problems are common in the general population with an estimated one in six people in any past week experiencing a common mental health difficulty (McManus et al., 2016). Poor mental health is the main cause of the overall disease burden worldwide, with depression and anxiety being the most predominant (WHO, 2017).
Pet animals may help people in several important ways. There seem to be health benefits and physiological effects of owning pets, such as reduced blood pressure, reduced risk of heart attacks, improved survival rates, and increased physical activity (Beetz et al., 2012).
Psychological benefits include increased resilience at times of adversity, increased participation in meaningful activities, increased social functioning, increased happiness and hedonic tone, and increased positive self-view and self-agency (Nathans-Barel et al., 2005; Zimolag & Krupa, 2009). Pets may be an important social companion for those experiencing social isolation, which can buffer against the negative impacts of loneliness; thus, pets have important psychosocial functions (Carr et al., 2020; Wood et al., 2005).
Brooks et al. (2018) conducted a comprehensive systematic review and found many ways in which pets help manage mental health and even facilitate recovery: one area of support pets provided is ‘emotional work’, or the ability to alleviate worry and provide comfort; in addition to the presence of a pet, the practical work involved in caring for a pet, such as feeding, was reported to be a pleasant distraction from mental health concerns; pets were also found to contribute to a stronger sense of identity in pet owners with mental health conditions, including reducing negative perceptions of a mental health condition or diagnosis.
Brooks et al. (2016) explored the role of pets in the social networks of people managing long-term mental health problems. The study found that pets contributed, over time, to individuals developing routines that provided emotional and social support. Specifically, results indicated that pets provide the ability to gain a sense of control inherent to caring for the pet; pets provide a sense of security and routine developed in the relationship, which reinforced stable cognition from the creation of certainty that they could turn to and rely on pets in time of need; pets provide security through generating a sense of order and continuity to individual experiences and through providing a sense of meaning in an individual’s life; pets provide a distraction and disruption from distressing symptoms, such as hearing voices, suicidal thoughts, rumination and facilitating routine and exercise for those who cared for them; pets provided a form of acceptance for their owners, as they began to positively associate as ‘good pet owners’. This also positively impacted how others viewed them. Overall, the results of this study showed that pets can positively contribute to factors commonly associated with ontological security, as pets can be considered the main sources of support for the long-term management of mental health conditions.
Research conducted by Friedmann & Son (2009) has shown that pet owners had greater self-esteem, were more physically fit, tended to be less lonely, were more conscientious, tended to be less fearful and were more extroverted. Pets also have been a great source of comfort and company for individuals who have had to transition from bustling office spaces to their own quiet living rooms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Others may have still been able to go into the office for work but have otherwise kept themselves close to home.
Indication of the potential benefit that pets convey to the experience of mental health comes from evidence detailing the benefits of pet ownership in relation to stress reduction, improved quality of life, and pets as promoters of social and community interaction (Vassilev et al., 2011; Rogers et al., 2011 & Bakerjian, 2014). Recent work done by Power (2013) has shed light on the relevance of pets in the social networks of people who have received a diagnosis of a severe and enduring mental health illness (e.g. Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder) suggesting that pets can be considered alongside other human relationships. However, the evidence base for the benefit of pet ownership for those with diagnosable mental health conditions is fragmented and unclear.
Objectives
- To study the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and anger among pet owners.
- To study the difference in the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and anger among pet owners and non-owners.
- To study the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress & anger, and the number of family members & senior citizens in the family of the participants.
Material And Methods
Study Design
A cross-sectional survey study was conducted using two widely used instruments to measure depression, anxiety, stress, and anger among adults who own a pet, who don’t own a pet, and who are planning to get a pet. Adults who were aged 18 years or older were included in the study. Whereas, the adults who were diagnosed with major illnesses (mental or physical) were excluded from the study.
Study Instruments
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS21): This DASS21 (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) is a short version (21 items) of a 42-item self-report instrument designed to measure three related negative emotional states: depression, anxiety, and stress. This test evaluates the severity of mental disorder symptoms associated with the three (depression, anxiety, and stress) and provides a mild, moderate or severe result. Each of the questions is rated from 0 to 3. Therefore, each state presents partial scores of 0 to 21.
Anger: Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992) is a 29-item questionnaire in which participants rank certain statements along a 5-point continuum from “extremely uncharacteristic of me” to “extremely characteristic of me”. The scores are normalized on a scale of 0 to 1, with 1 being the highest level of aggression. It measures four factors: physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. In this study, only the questions (7 items) related to anger were used. [Full Text]
